Disclosure Document

Miss Higgins 1st Grade Class

Grovecrest Elementary
2016-2017
Email: ahiggins@alpinedistrict.org
Phone: 801-610-8109 ext. 128
Class Website: http://misshiggins1stgrade.weebly.com/
Welcome to 1st Grade! This is going to be a fun and exciting time for your child to develop lifelong
habits for learning. Together we can help build a strong foundation for your students academic
success. The following information is provided to give you an overview of the year. Please keep this
document and refer to it as needed. I am excited to work with you and your child.
Course Description
The subjects taught in First Grade are Reading, Writing, Language, Spelling, Math, Social Studies,
Science, Art, Music, Computers, Health, and PE. See Common Core for 1 st Grade.
Reading/Writing
It is important to read and write TO, WITH, and BY children. I follow the Balanced Literacy
program in accordance with Alpine School District. This approach to Literacy includes Read Alouds,
Guided Reading, Readers Workshop, Literacy Centers, Shared Reading, Independent Reading, and
Comprehension Study. It also includes Modeled Writing, Interactive Writing, Journal Writing, and
Writers Workshop.
I strongly believe that children learn to read best when they are interested in reading. This occurs
when children read for understanding. During this school year, your child will be placed in a Guided
Reading group based on reading ability. The reading groups will be changing throughout the year as
the children progress at different levels.
Spelling/Word Work
Students will have weekly spelling words that come home at the beginning of each week. A pretest
will be given on Monday. Students who get 100% on the pretest will receive an alternate spelling
list for the week. The alternate list will provide more challenging words for those students who are
ready. The test will be given on Friday. Each week we will focus on high frequency words and a word
family to help students to recognize language patterns and build words. See attached lists of high
frequency words and word families.
Math
The balanced math that I teach includes Go Math, Math Investigations and other cognitively
guided instruction. These programs together follow National Math Standards and meet the
Common Core Curriculum goals. Students will use math manipulatives to problem solve. They will
communicate a mathematical understanding of strategies orally and on paper as well. There are

four big ideas taught in first grade: Operations in Algebraic Thinking (addition and subtraction
equations, properties, etc.), Number and Operations in Base Ten (extending counting sequence to
120, place value, etc.), Measurement and Data (length, time, data), and Geometry (reason with
shapes and attributes). Answers and communication of reasoning will be assessed.
Social Studies/Science
As 1st Grade teachers at Grovecrest Elementary, we work together to teach Social Studies and
Science in rotations. First Grade teachers will teach these subjects to your child throughout the
year.
In Social Studies we will be learning about community helpers, citizenship, national symbols, maps,
social relationships and skills, different cultures, and historical events. In Science we will be
focusing on cycles of the sun and moon, forces of motion, life cycles, plants, water, rocks and soil,
seasons and weather. Informal and formal assessments will take place throughout each unit.
Health
Some topics we will explore include feelings, decision-making, nutrition, tooth care, safety, and
healthy living habits.
Homework
Your child will get a homework folder with helpful references on the front and back. Every Monday
a homework sheet with weekly assignments will come home inside of that folder. The folders are
due back on Friday of each week with completed work. Students should also read for at least 20
minutes a night, five days a week. Home reading books on your childs level will start coming home in
September.
Grading
Formal assessments will come home weekly with a number on them. Class work is informally
assessed daily regardless of if it has a sticker, stamp, or mark on it. Report cards go home three
times a year and include marks 1-4 for Language Arts, Math, Content, Integrated Curriculum, and
Learning Habits. P, N, and NE will be given for Art, Music, PE, and Health. Parents and teachers
will meet together twice a year at parent/teacher conferences to assess progress, set goals, and
celebrate achievements.
School Habits
1) Students are requested to be in school and on time every day possible. School starts at
9:00 am and ends at 3:30 pm every day except Monday. Mondays are Early Out days and
school will end at 2:30 pm.
2) Please let me know in advance if your child is going to be absent for 2 or more days so I can
get his or her work together. Check the Alpine School District attendance policy if you
have questions about extended absences.
3) In order for your child to receive the best education, please do not allow your child to
bring toys or other distracting things to school. No weapons of any kind are allowed.
4) When picking your child up early or dropping off late, please remember to check in at the
office first.

Classroom Management
I believe in recognizing and reinforcing positive behavior. My students have the power to make
choices and participate in our classroom activities. I do expect them to learn our classroom
expectations and to take responsibility for their actions. If a child chooses to break one of our
rules, they will get to try again and then a warning is given. If the behavior continues, they will
have a think time at their desk. Further consequences apply when needed.
Important Days
Thursdays we will go to the Library. Library books need to be returned by Tuesday of the
following week.
Fridays we will have P.E. Please help your child to dress appropriately.
Spotlights and Birthdays
Each child will be given an opportunity to be the Star of the Week. Please help your child make an
all about me poster to bring to school on Monday of your childs week. Also, parents are invited to
read their childs favorite book to the class that week. We will celebrate birthdays and
unbirthdays throughout the year. Feel free to send treats. Please remember that the State Health
Department only allows store prepared and packaged treats in the classroom.
Donations
Please send a $20 donation to cover the cost of a class t-shirt and a subscription to Scholastic
News, if you are able to. Make checks payable to Grovecrest Elementary. Thank you!
Communication
Please feel free to come and talk with me anytime before or after school. I am here from 8:15 am
3:45 pm. If you call at another time, please leave a message on my voicemail and I will get back to
you as soon as possible. My number is 801-610-8109 ext. 128. You can also contact me by email at
ahiggins@alpinedistrict.org. I will be keeping in touch with you through emails, notes home, and
phone calls.